Memories of Madeira


My husband is Portuguese. To be more specific, he is Madeiran. Madeira for those who don’t know is a tiny (very tiny) island off the coast of Portugal. Almost closer to Morocco. A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the island to meet his dad. We had already been together for more than 5 years at the time but his dad was unwell and not able to visit in SA. I am so fortunate I was able to meet this incredible man. Sadly a year after our visit he passed on but I will always hold the time spent with him very dear.
Landing in Funchal, the capital, was nerve wrecking and I am not a nervous traveler or flyer. But here’s the thing, the runway is next to the island. You can read that again, yes it says NEXT TO. ON STILTS. Want to put a pilot to the test? Make him land there.
Oscars family home is in the village (town) of Calheta.
We borrowed his best mates car and I finally got to see where my in laws were born and where my now husband spent so much of his childhood.
So on this #ThrowBackThursday I am missing the things I saw, ate, drank and felt in this place.
I miss driving up the old cobblestone roads to my favourite little pub to have Cha de limao (lemon tea)
I miss eating steamed chest nuts with Oscars dad at their Kitchen table. He could still remember some Afrikaans and I like to think he enjoyed speaking it to me. He had a real sweet tooth.
I miss watching the sunset over the ocean views from the top veranda.
I miss the giant old vines and the sweet, sweet wine.
I miss feeding the chickens in the morning.
I miss the way the air smelt of bananas and sea-salt.
I miss how happy it made Oscar to be there.
*the photos are again unedited. Just as it was taken. The place is just that beautiful.
3 Comments
oh heavens, I would just close my eyes until the plane is at a complete stand still – to land on stilts, wow! But at least you can say you’ve done that 🙂 This post makes me want to just get on a plane and land somewhere exciting, right now.
Loren | http://www.minkys.co.za
March 17, 2016 - 8:47 amHi Loren, YOU MUST! with the right company any location can be exciting. But you have to add Madeira to your Bucket List.
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